The summer is here and that might mean more citrus fruits are coming home with you, including lemons, limes, and oranges. But just because citrus is good for us, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for our dogs.
And that leads us to wondering whether or not limes are actually a dog friendly fruit. After all, we know that lemons are technically dog safe (but the skin is not), while grapefruit has some potential issues, including a skin and rind that are toxic.
So what did we learn about limes and our dogs? Can our dogs enjoy this citrus fruit at our sides this summer?
Can dogs eat limes?
Technically limes are not considered a toxic fruit for dogs, however, that doesn’t mean that they are actually safe for our dogs to eat. According to the American Kennel Club,
"Limes are high in citric acid. In large amounts, citric acid can cause gastrointestinal upsets for dogs or even central nervous depression and loss of coordination. If your dog eats large amounts of limes, consult your veterinarian right away."
On top of the fact that this is a fruit with a lot of citric acid in it, technically our dogs aren’t really fans of limes. The reason for this is the way the fruit smells. It is simply not an inviting fruit for our dogs. And of course, the overly sour flavor is a deterrent to dogs anyway, as they are not fans of anything sour.
Plus, we can’t help but point out that like all the other citrus fruits, limes have a rind and skin that are toxic. So in general, we think it is best to avoid this particular fruit when it comes to treat your pup to fresh fruits this summer. Instead, we recommend choosing fruits that are dog friendly, such as strawberries, watermelon, and blueberries.
Are your surprised by the fact that citrus fruit isn’t really dog friendly?